Cesare Airaghi
Cesare Airaghi | |
---|---|
Born | Milan, Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia, Austrian Empire | 4 October 1840
Died | 1 March 1896 Adwa, Tigray, Ethiopia | (aged 55)
Allegiance | Sardinia Italy |
Branch | Royal Sardinian Army Royal Italian Army |
Years of service | 1859 – 1896 |
Rank | Colonel |
Battles/wars | Second Italian War of Independence |
Alma mater | University of Pavia |
Cesare Airaghi (1840-1896) was an Italian colonel and war hero who participated in several conflicts during the 19th century. Airaghi participated in the Second Italian War of Independence, the Third Italian War of Independence and the First Italo-Ethiopian War before being killed at the Battle of Adwa.
Early years
Cesare was born on 4 October 1840, as the son of Giovanni Battista and Marietta Lattuada at Milan.[1][2] When he was 14, his father was killed and Cesare was forced to be responsible for his family's finance. While attending the University of Pavia, Airaghi enlisted in the 9th Infantry Regiment and participated in the Second Italian War of Independence. He was appointed as Second Lieutenant of the 17th Infantry Division and fought at the Battle of Palestro. After the war, Airaghi resumed his studies at the University of Pavia and eventually graduated as an engineer.[1]
Military career
Airaghi was promoted to Lieutenant on 17 June 1861, while at the
Battle of Adwa
On 13 January 1896, Airaghi was called to Eritrea to participate in the First Italo-Ethiopian War as he commanded the 6th African Infantry Regiment as part of the 2nd Brigade of the Right column. On the evening of 29 February, Airaghi began his march towards Adwa, reaching the Rebbi Arienni on March 1.[3] During the Battle of Adwa, he conducted repeated assaults on the Ethiopian forces with enthusiasm and courage.[4] Despite his success at keeping the Ethiopian forces back, they were beginning to outnumber Airaghi's regiment and they surrounded and he was killed in the fighting.[1] Airaghi was posthumously awarded the Gold Medal of Military Valor on 1 March 1896, for his command at Adwa and a plaque was placed in Milan in memory.[4][2][5]
References
- ^ a b c d Ancfargl (30 December 2015). "AIRAGHI Cesare - Associazione Nazionale Combattenti FF.AA. Regolari Guerra di Liberazione". Associazione Nazionale Combattenti FF.AA. Regolari Guerra di Liberazione (in Italian). Retrieved 18 June 2022.
- ^ a b "Chi era Costui - Scheda di Cesare Airaghi" (in Italian). Retrieved 5 December 2007.
- ISBN 978-0674062795. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
- ^ a b "AIRAGHI Cesare – MOVM". Movm (in Italian). Retrieved 19 June 2022.
- ^ "Le onorificenze della Repubblica Italiana" (in Italian). Retrieved 4 January 2014.